Strawberry plant named ‘PE-11.2171’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘PE-11.2171’. This new strawberry plant named ‘PE-11.2171’ is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California, and is primarily characterized by its orange red to red fruit color, small fruit size, and cordate to reniform fruit shape; good fruit flavor, medium to firm flesh, with seeds typically held level with to below the surface; medium to large plant size, semi-upright, with medium density and strong vigor; medium to dark green foliage color, medium to large foliage size and slightly concave to flat in cross section; and fruiting trusses typically held beneath the foliage, with medium pubescence and absent to weak anthocyanins.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Fragaria x ananassa.

Variety denomination: ‘PE-11.2171’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety named ‘PE-11.2171’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made in 2011 in an ongoing breeding program between strawberry selection designated ‘PE-6.2009’ (not patented) as the seed (female) parent, and strawberry selection designated ‘PS-3.121’ (not patented) as the pollen (male) parent. The variety is botanically known as Fragaria x ananassa.

The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was selected from a controlled breeding plot in Ventura County, Calif. in the fall of 2013. After its selection, the new variety was asexually propagated by stolons in Siskiyou and San Joaquin Counties, Calif. The new variety was tested extensively over the next several years in fruiting fields in Ventura County, Calif. This propagation has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein as characterizing the new variety are fixed and remain true-to-type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘PE-11.2171’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the central coast of California. The nearby Pacific Ocean provides the humidity and moderate temperatures needed to produce a strong, vigorous plant and maintain fruit quality during the fall production months.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘PE-11.2171’, which in combination distinguish this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

-   -   1. Fruit is orange red to red in color, small in size, and         cordate to reniform in shape;     -   2. Fruit has good flavor, medium to firm flesh, with seeds         typically held level with to below the surface;     -   3. Plant is medium to large in size, semi-upright, with medium         density and strong vigor;     -   4. Foliage is medium to dark green in color, medium to large in         size and slightly concave to flat in cross section; and     -   5. Fruiting trusses are typically held beneath the foliage, with         medium pubescence and absent to weak anthocyanins.

The strawberry variety that is believed to be most closely related to the new variety ‘PE-11.2171’ is ‘PE-7.2059’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,756). In side-by-side comparisons to the similar strawberry variety ‘PE-7.2059’, ‘PE-11.2171’ differs by the following combination of characteristics as described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 ‘PE-7.2059’ (U.S. Plant Characteristic ‘PE-11.2171’ Pat. No. 28,756) Fruit: color Ranges from orange Red red to red Fruit: size Small Medium Fruit: shape Ranges from cordate Conical to reniform Fruit: insertion of Ranges from level Ranges from level with achenes with surface to below surface to above surface surface Fruit: position of Inserted Ranges from level to calyx attachment raised Plant: size Ranges from Medium medium to large Foliage: color Ranges from Medium green medium green to dark green Foliage: number of 3 3-4 leaflets Foliage: size Ranges from Ranges from medium medium to large to small Fruiting truss: position Beneath Level with relative to foliage Disease: Fusarium Resistant Susceptible wilt

For identification, a series of molecular markers have been determined for this new variety.

‘PE-11.2171’ differs from its parents, ‘PE-6.2009’ and ‘PS-3.121’ by the following combination of characteristics as described in Tables 2 and 3.

TABLE 2 ‘PE-6.2009’ Characteristic ‘PE-11.2171’ (not patented) Fruit: color Orange red Dark red Fruit: shape Ranges from cordate to Conical reniform Fruit: flavor Good Fair Fruiting: insertion Ranges from level with Ranges from level with of achenes surface to below surface surface to above surface

TABLE 3 ‘PS-3.121’ Characteristic ‘PE-11.2171’ (not patented) Fruit: color Orange red Medium red Fruit: shape Ranges from cordate to Conical reniform Fruit: insertion of Ranges from level with Level with surface achenes surface to below surface Type of bearing: Remontant Not remontant

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new strawberry variety ‘PE-11.2171’ at various stages of development, as true as it is reasonably possible with color reproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the botanical descriptions which accurately describe the color of ‘PE-11.2171’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new strawberry variety ‘PE-11.2171’ are approximately three to four months old. The photographs were taken in Ventura County, Calif.

FIG. 1 shows fruiting field characteristics of ‘PE-11.2171’, taken in the month of November 2021;

FIG. 2 shows upper and lower surfaces of flower and flower parts of ‘PE-11.2171’, taken in the month of October 2021;

FIG. 3 shows typical fruiting truss and truss parts of ‘PE-11.2171’, taken in the month of November 2021;

FIG. 4 shows upper and lower surfaces of leaf and leaf parts of ‘PE-11.2171’, taken in the month of November 2021; and

FIG. 5 shows internal and external mature fruit characteristics of ‘PE-11.2171’, taken in the month of November 2021.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new variety ‘PE-11.2171’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety ‘PE-11.2171’ may vary in detail, depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type and location. In addition, the characteristics of any parental variety or comparison variety included in Tables 1, 2 and 3 of the present invention may vary in detail, depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type and location.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following description of the new variety ‘PE-11.2171’, unless otherwise noted, are based on observations taken during the 2021 growing season in Ventura County, Calif. These measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘PE-11.2171’ dug from a low-elevation nursery located in San Joaquin County, Calif. in January 2021 and planted approximately six months later in Ventura County, Calif. The approximate age of the observed plants is three to four months. Yield observations including average weight and marketable yield, along with fruit quality characteristics including soluble solids, are averaged from six years of data collected from the 2016 through 2021 growing seasons. Flower measurements and characteristics are from secondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruit characteristics and measurements are from secondary fruit, unless otherwise noted.

Where noted, color terminology follows The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, London, Sixth Edition (2015).

The following characteristics describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage, fruiting truss, flower, reproductive organs and pest and disease characteristics of the new strawberry ‘PE-11.2171’.

-   Fruit characteristics:     -   -   Color of mature fruit.—RHS 45B (ranges from orange red to             red).         -   Color of internal flesh.—RHS 39A (light red).         -   Color of core.—RHS 39B (light red).         -   Average length (cm).—3.5.         -   Average width (cm).—3.6.         -   Size.—Small.         -   Average length/width ratio.—0.97 (ranges from slightly             broader than long to as long as broad).         -   Hollow center average length (mm).—12.7.         -   Hollow center average width (mm).—4.7.         -   Hollow center expression.—Absent or very weak.         -   Season average weight (gm).—21.0.         -   Marketable yield season (gm/plant).—505.         -   Predominant shape.—Ranges from cordate (cordiform) to             reniform (kidney shape).         -   Difference in shape between primary and secondary             fruit.—Slight.         -   Band without achenes.—Narrow.         -   Evenness of surface.—Even or very slightly uneven.         -   Evenness of color.—Even or very slightly uneven.         -   Glossiness.—Ranges from medium to strong.         -   Insertion of achenes.—Ranges from below surface to level             with surface.         -   Average calyx diameter (cm).—4.1.         -   Position of calyx attachment.—Inserted.         -   Attitude of sepals.—Ranges from downward to outward.         -   Size of calyx in relation to fruit diameter.—Slightly             larger.         -   Adherence of calyx (when fully ripe).—Strong.         -   Firmness of flesh.—Ranges from medium to firm.         -   Keeping quality.—Moderate.         -   Fruit market.—Fresh.         -   Post-harvest fruit longevity (at 1 to 3 degrees Celsius).—5             to 7 days.         -   Distribution of red color of the flesh.—Marginal and             central.         -   Flavor.—Good.         -   Soluble solids (% Brix).—7.6.         -   Achene color, shaded side.—RHS 160A (greyed yellow group).         -   Achene color, sun-exposed side.—RHS 182B (greyed red group).         -   Achene average length (mm).—1.6.         -   Achene average width (mm).—0.7.         -   Achene average weight (mg).—0.58.         -   Achene average quantity per berry.—336.         -   Achene shape.—Elliptic.         -   Flowering season (50% of plants with at least one             flower).—Medium (August in Ventura County, Calif.).         -   Maturing season (50% of plants with mature fruit).—Medium             (October in Ventura County, Calif.).         -   Flowering season.—August to December (in Ventura County,             Calif.).         -   Harvest season.—September to January (in Ventura County,             Calif.).         -   Harvest maturity.—October (in Ventura County, Calif.).         -   Plant hardiness.—Zone 10 (USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map).         -   Type of bearing.—Fully remontant (non-flowering runners). -   Plant characteristics:     -   -   Average height (cm).—26.9.         -   Average spread (cm).—42.0.         -   Size.—Ranges from medium to large.         -   Habit.—Semi-upright.         -   Density.—Medium.         -   Vigor.—Strong. -   Stolon characteristics:     -   -   Color.—RHS 146C (yellow green group).         -   Anthocyanin coloration.—RHS 183B (greyed purple group).         -   Anthocyanin intensity.—Strong.         -   Pubescence.—Medium.         -   Attitude of hairs.—Upward.         -   Average quantity in nursery (per square foot).—7 to 8             (medium).         -   Average diameter at first bract (mm).—4.3 (thick).         -   Length from mother plant to first daughter (cm).—29.1. -   Terminal leaflet characteristics:     -   -   Average length (cm).—8.6.         -   Average width (cm).—8.8.         -   Average area terminal (cm ²).—75.5.         -   Average length/width ratio.—0.98 (as long as broad).         -   Shape of base.—Obtuse.         -   Shape of apex.—Obtuse.         -   Margins (shape of teeth).—Rounded (crenate).         -   Average serrations per leaf.—20.8. -   Foliage characteristics:     -   -   Color of upper surface.—RHS NN137A (ranges from medium green             to dark green).         -   Color of lower surface.—RHS 147C (yellow green group).         -   Color of venation, upper surface.—RHS NN137A (green group).         -   Color of venation, lower surface.—RHS 147D (yellow green             group).         -   Number of leaflets.—3.         -   Leaf size.—Ranges from large to medium.         -   Average length (cm).—14.0.         -   Average width (cm).—17.5.         -   Average area foliage (cm ²).—245.3.         -   Shape in cross section.—Slightly concave to flat.         -   Interveinal blistering.—Strong.         -   Texture of upper surface.—Medium.         -   Texture of lower surface.—Smooth.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate reticulate.         -   Leaf glossiness.—Medium.         -   Leaf variegation.—Absent. -   Petiole characteristics:     -   -   Petiole color.—RHS 144A (yellow green group).         -   Petiole average length (cm).—20.2.         -   Petiole average diameter (mm).—4.1.         -   Attitude of hairs.—Slightly outward.         -   Frequency of bract leaflets.—60% occurrence (occasionally).         -   Size of bract leaflets.—Medium.         -   Pubescence.—Sparse.         -   Petiolule color.—RHS 144A (yellow green group).         -   Petiolule average length (mm).—11.9.         -   Petiolule average diameter (mm).—2.2. -   Stipule characteristics:     -   -   Color.—RHS 145A (yellow green group).         -   Anthocyanin coloration.—RHS 61B (red purple group).         -   Anthocyanin intensity.—Weak.         -   Average length (mm).—23.6.         -   Average width (mm).—9.1.         -   Shape.—Triangular.         -   Texture.—Light.         -   Shape of base.—N/A.         -   Shape of apex.—Acute.         -   Margins.—Entire (smooth). -   Fruiting truss characteristics:     -   -   Anthocyanin coloration.—RHS 181D (greyed red group).         -   Anthocyanin intensity.—Absent or very weak.         -   Average length at maturity (cm).—29.9.         -   Position relative to foliage.—Beneath.         -   Flower quantity (season average per plant).—30.7 (medium).         -   Average fruit quantity per truss.—8.8 (ranges from medium to             many).         -   Attitude at first pick.—Prostrate.         -   Primary pedicel color.—RHS 144B (yellow green group).         -   Primary pedicel average length (cm).—7.8.         -   Primary pedicel average diameter (mm).—2.7.         -   Pedicel attitude of hairs.—Upward.         -   Pedicel texture.—Weak.         -   Primary peduncle color.—RHS 144B (yellow green group).         -   Primary peduncle average length (cm).—10.8.         -   Primary peduncle average diameter (mm).—5.4.         -   Peduncle texture.—Medium. -   Flower characteristics:     -   -   Petal color, upper surface.—RHS NN155C (white group).         -   Petal color, lower surface.—RHS NN155C (white group).         -   Petal average length (mm).—12.2.         -   Petal average width (mm).—12.8.         -   Petal average length/width ratio.—0.96 (as long as broad).         -   Average petal quantity per flower.—5.5.         -   Petal shape.—Obovate.         -   Petal texture, upper surface.—Smooth.         -   Petal texture, lower surface.—Smooth.         -   Petal shape of base.—Obtuse.         -   Petal shape of apex.—Rotund.         -   Petal margins.—Entire (smooth).         -   Sepal color, upper surface.—RHS 137A (green group).         -   Sepal color, lower surface.—RHS 138B (green group).         -   Sepal average length (mm).—14.0.         -   Sepal average width (mm).—4.3.         -   Sepal average length/width ratio.—3.26.         -   Average sepal quantity per flower.—11.3.         -   Sepal shape.—Lanceolate.         -   Sepal texture, upper surface.—Light.         -   Sepal texture, lower surface.—Light.         -   Sepal shape of apex.—Acute.         -   Sepal margins.—Entire (smooth).         -   Corolla average diameter (mm).—32.6 (medium).         -   Flower average depth (mm).—12.0 (medium).         -   Calyx average diameter (mm).—36.3.         -   Size of calyx relative to corolla.—Larger.         -   Relative position of petals (flowers with 5 or 6             petals).—Overlapping.         -   Size of inner calyx relative to outer calyx.—Same. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Anther color.—RHS 13A (yellow orange group).         -   Filament color.—RHS 145C (yellow green group).         -   Filament average length (mm).—2.2.         -   Anther average length (mm).—1.2.         -   Anther average width (mm).—0.8.         -   Anther shape.—Elliptic.         -   Pollen amount.—Abundant.         -   Ovary color.—RHS 147B (yellow green group).         -   Style color.—RHS 151A (yellow green group).         -   Pistil average quantity per flower.—336.         -   Pistil average length (mm).—1.2.         -   Style average length (mm).—1.2.         -   Stigma average diameter (mm).—0.3.         -   Stigma shape.—Rounded. -   Disease and pest reactions:     -   -   Powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis).—Moderately             susceptible.         -   Botrytis fruit rot (Botrytis cinerea).—Moderately             susceptible.         -   Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum).—Resistant.         -   Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae).—Moderately             susceptible. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct strawberry plant named ‘PE-11.2171’, as herein described and illustrated by the characteristics set forth above. 